Hammer



April 1940- B. E. EDWARDS 2.198.764

HAMMER I Filed April 26, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor F 5,5 Edwards A itorneys April 1940- B. E. EDWARDS 2.l98,764

I HAMMER Filed April as, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q Q Q Q 1 Q m i v I \"\\I Q Q Q Q :RL Inventor w Edwards A fiorneys Patented Apr. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I I MM Bluford E. Edwards, Waynesboro, Tenn. Application Apr-i126, 1938, Serial No.20 i,436

1 Claim. (o1. 81-15) My invention relates generallyto hammers, and particularly to hammers of the type which flnd chief employment in sheet metalworking, and an important-object of my invention is to provide hammers of the character indicated which have striking surfaces which are flexibly mounted on the head of the hammer in such a way thatthey are self aligning with respect to the work for the purpose of preventing denting of thesheet metal head of the hammer, with one of these shown in when struck with thehammer head at an angle other than perpendicular to the surface being struck.

Another important object of my invention is to provide floating striking surfaces for hammers means to cushion the action of alignment of the striking surface with the surface being worked upon with relation to the body of the hammer head, whereby to prevent denting and marring of the surface struck by the hammer. I

Other important objects of my invention will 30 be apparent from a reading of the following description taken in connection with the drawings,

wherein for purposes of illustration I have shown preferred embodiments of my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a general side elevational view of a sheet metal working hammer showing floating elements mounted on the opposite ends of the transverse section as possessing a shock absorbing cushion.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of one of 1 the striking elements partly broken away.

Figure 3 is a view, similar to Figure 1 but showing the shock absorbing element compressed as in the actionof striking a surface with the hammer disposed at other than a perpendicular angle.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment of the invention, devoid of the shock absorbing element and showing both ofthe floating elements in transverse section.

Figure 5 is an elevational view taken looking from left to right in Figure 4. i

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 and showing the floating element assuming a compensating position. I

Referring in detail to the drawings, and first to the embodimentshown in Figure 3 thereof, the numeral 5 generally designates the shank or handle portion of the metal workers hammer which terminates in the hammer head which is generally designated 6 which comprises the cross bar 5 bottom I3 and having an upwardly tapered up- I per portion I 4, the last mentioned portion I4 having inner surfaces conforming substantially in shape and outline with the contour of the tapered portion 9 when the floating striking element II is axially aligned with the bar I of the hammer head 6 as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. Resting on the bottom I3 and secured thereto is a rubber or similar material shock-absorbing element I 5 which has its peripheral edges circumferentially spaced from the inner wall of the cylindrical portion I2. The disk-like striking surface I0 of the hammer striking element 8 is disposed to engage this cushion I5 in the act of striking a surface to be worked upon. In the event that the hammer head in reaching contact with the work is not exactly perpendicular with the work, the bottom I3 of the element I I will promptly assume a position flush to the surface of the work so that as the travel of the hammer head toward the work continues, the force of the hammer stroke will be communicated to the work through the agency of the element I I, the communication being cushioned and compensated as to angularity by the cushion I5 in the manner illustrated inFigure 3 of the drawings; so that the shock of the hammer blow coupled with the aligning action of the element I I will be cushioned and absorbed, and likelihood of marring the surface struck substantially eliminated.

The elements II are formed of suitable steel made to shape from sheet material and may be tall and welded along one side and the bottom thereof as indicated by the numerals I6 and I! or short and crimped on the hammer to elimi-' nate welding. While the construction of the elements I I is not limited to this formation and arrangement or method of manufacture, I have found such to be a suitable way of making the elements ll.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, it will be found that the construction and arrangement of parts is substantially similar to that described in connection with the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, but the absence of the shock-absorbing cushion l5 will be noted as well as a reduction in the length of the tapered portion Ma of the elements Ila. In this embodiment of the invention the portion I la of the stationary striking element 8a engages the bottom 13a of the element Ila directly and this engagement is not cushioned.

Although I have shown and described herein the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is and any change or changes may be made the.

materials and in the structure and arrangement of the parts, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In a device of. the character described, a float ing striking element movably secured to a station, ary striking element, said floating element com prising a cylindrical body portion having a plain bottomportion and an inwardly tapered integral flange extending upwardly from the top edge per.- tion of said cylindrical body portion, said cylindrical body portion and tapered flange portion being adapted to partially house said stationary Strik ing element, and a cushioning element housed in said cylindrical body portion between the top surface of said plain bottom portion and said stationary element.

BLUFORD E. EDWARDS. 

